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Canadian Football League Hosts Canadian Citizenship Ceremonies in Spirit of Diversity is Strength Campaign

Canadian Football League Hosts Canadian Citizenship Ceremonies in Spirit of Diversity is Strength Campaign

Canada NewsWire

EDMONTON, Aug. 18, 2018

EDMONTON, Aug. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The Edmonton Eskimos will kick off the Canadian Football League (CFL) Diversity is Strength campaign by welcoming 50 new Canadian citizens at a special citizenship ceremony today at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. After reciting the oath of citizenship in front of family and friends, Canada's newly sworn citizens will head to the football field to sing the Canadian national anthem alongside football players and thousands of fans.

Today's citizenship ceremony will be the first of 3 ceremonies hosted by the CFL in celebration of the league's Diversity is Strength campaign. Other special citizenship ceremonies will be hosted by the Montreal Alouettes, on August 24, and by the BC Lions, on August 25.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the CFL's collaboration on the Diversity is Strength campaign complements the department's new #ImmigrationMatters initiative, which aims to demonstrate the benefits of immigration to Canadian communities and promote positive engagement between newcomers and Canadians.

Quotes

"IRCC is pleased to collaborate with the CFL on this important Diversity is Strength initiative and to showcase how immigration enriches Canada's diversity and ensures our nation's prosperity and success. Becoming a Canadian citizen is a significant milestone in an individual's immigration journey, and it is important that we recognize the many contributions immigrants bring to our country. I am honoured to officially welcome new citizens to a country that embraces diversity, equality and respect for all, as diversity is our strength."

"I am pleased to welcome new Canadians to our stadiums, our game, and our country. Football—like citizenship—is the ultimate team game. It requires people of every size, strength, and skillset to work together as a team to achieve great things. Our new citizens, and our players, are part of a proud history that has made our league and country stronger. The CFL shares Canada's commitment to diversity and inclusion and we welcome everyone, be they Canadians by birth or Canadians by choice, to join us in our stadiums, share their stories, and continue that legacy."

—Randy Ambrosie, Commissioner of the CFL

Quick facts

Over the last 10 years, Canada has welcomed nearly 1.7 million new Canadians.

The citizenship ceremony is the end of the immigration and settlement process for newcomers to Canada. Taking the oath of citizenship is a necessary legal step to citizenship.

Canada's identity has been largely shaped by the significant cultural and economic contributions of immigrants. In Canada, diversity is our strength.